Pak, US agree to boost bilateral ties

WASHINGTON- Pakistan and the United States have agreed to enhance bilateral relations for promoting peace and prosperity. The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi met the US Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken and Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs ED Royce here Thursday. Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani, accompanied him during the meeting. The Special Assistant briefed the US officials on the ongoing operation in North Waziristan and highlighted the Government’s commitment to eliminate all terrorists from Pakistan’s soil without any distinction. Both sides discussed the overall bilateral relations and advancement in it. The Special Assistant also briefed the US officials on the incumbent government’s outreach to Pakistan’s neighbours and its commitment to maintaining cordial ties with all its neighbors, including Afghanistan and India. ED Royce said Pakistan and US have common agendas of durable peace and stability in the region. He expressed his hope Pakistan’s operation against terrorists would be successful. On the occasion, Member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs Angel lauded Pakistan’s peace initiative with India and hoped that it would help bring prosperity to the people of the two countries. PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Fatemi also met with other members of US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.